Here's Why You Should Stop by the Doha International Book Fair

Mark your calendars! The upcoming 32nd edition of the Doha International Book Fair is scheduled to be held from June 12 to 21, 2023, at the esteemed Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. The event will be themed under the inspiring slogan "With reading we rise."

The Meaning Behind the Slogan

The fair promotes a unique cultural program that includes engaging seminars, cultural gatherings, literary events, arts & crafts Activities, and musical evenings. Contingent writers, intellectuals, and innovators from both Qatar and abroad will gather at the event, aligning with the fair's mission to promote its empowering slogan.

The meaning behind the slogan showcases the significance of localized books and their role in spreading knowledge and creating awareness. The Doha International Book Fair serves as a crucial platform, allowing visitors to expand their understanding by exploring the experiences of various nations, both historical and contemporary. It also serves as a gateway to innovative ideas that pave the way for a promising future.

Why does the Book Fair Hold Such Significance?

The Book Fair is considered to be one of the biggest and oldest international book fairs in the region as it attracts a large number of participants from Arab, Gulf, and foreign countries, reflecting its strong demand and esteemed reputation. Furthermore, a diverse array of local, Arab, and international publishing houses will participate in the event, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia taking an active role in various engaging activities.

Since 2010, the Doha International Book Fair has implemented a tradition of selecting a country as the distinguished "Guest of Honour" for each edition. So far, the United States, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Japan, Brazil, and Germany have had the honour of becoming the guest of honour at the Fair.

Historical Background

The fair gained international recognition after it made a succession attracting the most popular and the largest publishing houses in the world. In the first exhibition, more than 20 publishing houses took part in the book fair reaching currently to 340 publishing houses representing 34 countries on an area of 29,000 square meters. In its first edition, the exhibition took place in 1972 and was organized by Dar Al Kutub Al Qatariya. The exhibition, originally held every two years, became an annual event since 2002.

Available Facilities at Doha International Book Fair

• Book Trolleys
• Prayer Rooms
• Delivering purchased books
• Helping in finding a certain publishing house or book title
• Online and paper guide of the book fair
• ATM
• Restaurants and Cafés

How to get to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center?

By Airplane

Situated in the West Bay area, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center stands at the core of Doha's vibrant business district. Whether you're arriving from the airport or traveling from different parts of Qatar, accessing the DECC has been made incredibly convenient, ensuring a hassle-free journey to our venue.

Once you arrive in Doha, DECC will be only 20 min drive from the Airport, during this short drive you can enjoy the view of Doha’s stunning waterfront, following the Corniche.

By Airport Taxi/ Public Bus:

To pre-book Karwa taxi services, contact the call center at +974 800 8294, while for on-arrival bookings, head to the Karwa taxi kiosk in the Arrivals Hall. For special taxis catering to passengers with reduced mobility (PRM), contact Mowasalat at (+974) 4458 8888, preferably with prior notice.

Doha's bus network provides a convenient transportation option from Hamad International Airport to different destinations, including the DECC. Clean and well-maintained vehicles, along with trained drivers and supportive ground staff, ensure a pleasant journey.

The bus route to DECC is serviced by Route 777, operating from 05:00 to 24:00 with a frequency of approximately 20 minutes.

By Private Limousine

To reserve a limousine in advance, contact Fox Limousine at (+974) 446 22 777 or utilize their online form. For on-arrival limousine bookings, visit the Mowasalat Limousine kiosk in the Arrivals Hall.

In Qatar, there are three ride-booking apps available: Fox, a local service, Careem, a regional app, and the popular international app, UBER.

What You Need to Know

• Attendees need to register for their visit in advance by heading to the Doha International Book Fair website.
• Registration is divided into two types: visitors' registration and publishers' registration
• You can find out more about the event by heading to dohabookfair.qa.

Whether you are a bookworm or an enthusiast publisher, Doha International Book Fair is your safe place!